Additionally, parents can avoid some potential dangers by taking along a few portable safety items for on-the-spot childproofing, such as:

- Removable cabinet locks.

- Electrical outlet caps.

- Door handle guards.

- Finger-pinch door guards.

- Drapery cord wind-ups.

Other necessary items might include:

- A nightlight.

- Child's chair (for toddlers and preschoolers).

- Baby fever reducer/pain reliever.

- Baby thermometer.

- Booster seat or high chair that straps to a regular dining chair.

- Portable, pressure-mounted safety gate.

- Bed siderails.

- Playpen, portable crib or toddler trundle.

Additionally, there are things parents and grandparents can do to ensure holiday safety:

- If the entire family helps during the holiday meal, it is crucial to make sure children are supervised when cooking in the kitchen. Make certain to provide proper instructions for handling all utensils and equipment, and make sure children are not allowed to touch sharp or hot objects.

- When cooking that big holiday meal, make sure to turn all handles inward so pots and pans won't be pulled or knocked off the stove.

- Around the holidays, children can easily be confused between food and decorations, as holiday decorations tend to be colorful and accessible - just like candy. Parents should be careful to place these decorations out of reach of young children, so little ones are not tempted to touch, pull on, chew or throw these often-breakable items.

- Never leave candles or burning fireplaces unattended. Also, be sure to turn off tree lights or blow out burning candles before going to bed - and do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire.

- Make sure children don't put ornaments, tinsel or other decorations in their mouths. Choose non-lead tinsel in case of accidental ingestion. Also, if using 'angel hair,' place it higher on the Christmas tree to avoid skin and eye irritation, since it is made from spun glass.

- Make sure that all gifts are age appropriate. Avoid gifts with small parts or batteries for young children to avoid accidental choking. Keep children away from plastic shopping bags, wrappings, strings or bows for the same reason. In fact, some gift-wrap contains lead, so make sure to dispose of it promptly to avoid children chewing on it.

- Make sure children take breaks to warm up indoors if playing outside in snow or cold temperatures. Kids are more susceptible to hypothermia because of their small size - they have less heat-producing volume of muscle and vital organs in proportion to their heat-radiating skin surface.